Fresh off the heels from Bound For Glory TNA’s next major event is Turning Point, which has been host to some of the greatest matches not just in the promotion but in all of professional wrestling.

Let’s not waste any time, we’ve got a long list on our hands; Here are the Twenty Best Turning Point Matches in TNA Wrestling.

#20. Sabu vs. Abyss (2005)

One of the bloodiest matches to kick off a pay per view; ECW’s death defying Sabu and TNA’s resident monster Abyss took part in the first ever Barbed Wire Massacre Match with the unofficial tagline for this match being: “A Match So Violent, You Couldn’t Air It On Television”.

Needless to say, both men were in their element as the barb wire laced weapons were used as their personal play toys with a large amount blood, misery and sliced flesh happening throughout. The crowd both cheered and winced in pain over what they were witnessing and it’s easy to see why

Whilst Sabu was able to pick up the ‘W’ in this match, it’s safe to say neither man was really the winner with the scars of this encounter probably still on their bodies today.

#19. Bobby Roode vs. James Storm vs. AJ Styles (2012)

Three of TNA’s best wrestlers fighting for a shot at the World Title with the added stipulation being the person who gets pinned or submitted can’t fight for the belt until BFG 2013…Talk about some hefty stakes.

Roode and Storm continue their rivalry in this match but adding AJ into the mix makes it even better both from a match quality standpoint, but also the storyline of Styles not being focused due to his issues with the Bad Influence further adds intrigue into the bout.

Power moves, a teased Beer Money reunion spot, high flying theatrics from AJ and a bunch of near falls are some of the highlights of this match which ends with Storm pinning Styles to become the new number one contender for the world title….Until Roode beats Storm the following week on IMPACT to win contendership spot, because LOL TNA.

#18. EC3 vs. Drew Galloway (2016)

Take a future NWA World Champion and a future WWE Champion, put them in the ring for about fourteen minutes and see which one will fight for the TNA World Title in the headlining bout at Bound For Glory 2016…Also, Aron Rex (the former Damien Sandow in WWE) is the special guest referee.

That was the premise for EC3 versus Drew Galloway in the main event of Turning Point 2016 and both men held nothing back with Galloway being the aggressor in this match while Carter attempts to outwrestle his opponent.

The crowd are cheering for either man to come out the victor and considering how hard hitting the match goes, it’s easy to see; In the end, EC3 picks up the win and Galloway responds by beating the heck out of Rex after the match, all to set up a bout at BFG that doesn’t happen after Drew suffers an injury.

#17. Jordynne Grace vs. Chelsea Green (2021)

It might seem strange to have a preshow match on here, but when that match is a banger then it absolutely belongs on this list and this match is a hidden gem when comes to great matches for the Digital Media Championship.

The action is lightning paced with Chelsea and Jordynne stuffing as much action and near falls in a match that goes a little over eight minutes…Kinda makes you wish they put the match on the actual broadcast.

In fact, this bout remains the only one in which the Digital Media title has ever been fought between two women and both do not disappoint in this match and is another example of why Jordynne Grace is one the best women’s wrestlers of this generation.

#16. AJ Styles vs. Rhino (2006)

An underrated match from an underrated feud between ‘The Face that Runs the Place’ and ‘The War Machine’ which sees AJ attacking Rhino during a interview segment before brawling to the ringside area and results in Styles getting some color even before the bell rings.

A clash of speed vs. power ensues with Styles acting a little too cocky for his own good and Rhino being more than happy to throw the former X Division Champion around the IMPACT Zone.

The fake injury spot by Styles leading to Rhino getting outsmarted was a brilliant way to end the match while also setting up another encounter between these two for another day.

#15. PJ Black vs. EC3 (2015)

Ethan Carter the Third could easily be seen as the MVP for TNA Wrestling in 2015 as the former WWE Superstar still had his undefeated streak, he would win the world title from Kurt Angle and eventually turned on his best friend before beating him in a match and then shaving his head in front of his home country.

Put simply, EC3 became one of the best things during one of the most polarizing years in company history which is probably why his 2015 title defense against former WWE superstar, PJ Black at Turning Point 2015 isn’t all that remembered, but go back and watch it because it’s a solid match.

Black’s quickness going up against EC3’s raw power helps to make this match compelling with the contest going either way so much so that there are times when it felt like the former Nexus member was just fingertips away from winning the world title.

In the end, EC3 was able to pull the victory and keep his title and his undefeated streak intacted.

#14. Homicide vs. Amazing Red (2009)

The first of many times you’ll be seeing Turning Point 2009 on this list; X Division pioneer Amazing Red defended his TNA X Division Title in a one-on-one match with Homicide in the show’s opening contest.

Although most fans tend to think of Homicide simply as a tag team wrestler thanks to his time with Hernandez as part of LAX, he can also be a good singles competitor as this bout with Red clearly shows.

While the match itself only lasted a little over 10 minutes, both men packed in just enough X Division style goodness to get the fans invested…We also get to hear Don West on commentary for a few seconds; Rest in Peace DW.

#13. AJ Styles vs. Bobby Roode (2011)

A few months after turning on James Storm to become TNA World Champion, Bobby Roode soon had to defend the title against ‘The Phenomenal’ AJ Styles at the 2011 Turning Point PPV.

Speed versus Strength, High Flying versus technical wrestling as just some of the ways you can describe this contest as both Styles and Roode have a great one-on-one match with the finish seeing Roode having to cheat to win in classic heel fashion.

While their Iron Man match at Final Resolution the following month could be considered the better match, this bout was still solid one and helped to cement the kind of champion Roode would become throughout his tenure as World Champion.

#12. Sami Callihan vs. Rich Swann (2020)

Following his feud with Eric Young for the world title wrapped up; Rich Swann’s next challenger was his former friend Sami Callihan with the match being the main event of Turning Point 2020.

Sami tends to bring out the more physical side of his opponents and Rich Swann is no exception as he delivers rapid punches just as much as he hits high flying moves.

The brawling style and tactical cunning of Callihan is on full display throughout the match with Sami targeting Swann’s injured knee and enjoying every minute of the torture Rich is in.

Swann manages to escape with the victory thus ending the show with an impressive singles bout.

#11. Eddie Edwards vs. Will Ospreay (2023)

The most recent entry on this list, Will Ospreay’s return to TNA in late 2023 saw him have three matches: one was with Mike Bailey at Bound For Glory, another was against Josh Alexander on an episode of IMPACT! and the other took place at 2023’s Turning Point event.

As the first TNA event to take place in the U.K. in several years, the card had to deliver and for the most part it did with the main event seeing Ospreay take on Eddie Edwards.

What ensues is a hard hitting, move spamming thrill ride as the future AEW wrestlers demonstrates why his this generation’s greatest wrestlers and Eddie Edwards puts on a main event worthy performance while also taking it to Ospreay in terms of offense and technique.

Safe to say the U.K. fans left that show very happy.

#10. Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle (2006)

After the success of their first bout at Genesis 2006 and the post match segment that left the door open for more matches, Kurt Angle stepped in the ring with the Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe in a rematch at Turning Point 2006.

Both Joe and Angle are no strangers to being vicious and calculating when it comes to picking apart their opponents and this match was no different with a flurry of kicks and punches throughout while also having a few minutes of spamming signature moves with both men either kicking out or reversing them.

The crowd is electric from start to finish and when the finish occurs with Samoa Joe making Angle tap out as revenge for the disrepect Kurt showed him one month earlier, the fans absolutely love it.

#9. Tara vs. Awesome Kong (2009)

Back to 2009 we go as our next entry sees former TNA Knockouts Champion Tara having the fight for her life with another former Knockouts Champion and TNA Hall of Famer, Awesome Kong.

Sure, it’s a textbook David vs. Goliath type of match inside a steel cage but hey if it ain’t broke don’t fix it; This match more than delivers with Kong looking like the unstoppable monster only to be countered by Tara’s sheer toughness.

Heck, Kong even goes so far as to head to the top rope and hit a goddamn missile dropkick on Tara…When was the last time you saw Awesome Kong doing any kind of aerial maneuvers and actually connect; A great match and another example why the Knockouts Division was and still is one of the best women’s divisions in all of pro wrestling.

#8. Abyss vs. Kurt Angle (2008)

Fast forward two years after Kurt’s match with Samoa Joe and Angle is taking on another super heavyweight in a barnburner of a match in the form of human pin cushion and TNA Original Abyss in a Falls Count Anywhere Match.

Kurt Angle was still in his prime in 2008 and so was Abyss with the action in and outside of the ring being really really good.

Of course this match is best known for Kurt’s insane 450 seaton off the stage onto the Monster which is iconic, but also an unplanned spot according to Angle.

A hidden gem of a match from an criminally underrated PPV, go and seek this match out as it’s simply incredible.

#7. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe (2005)

2005 was a year in which AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels fought in a three way match for the X Division Title and got TNA it’s first five star rated bout from wrestling journalists Dave Meltzer.

Smash cut to Turning Point and two/thirds of that three way dance were once again battling for the X Division Championship with Styles putting his belt on the line against Joe’s undefeated streak.

It’s more than your standard David vs. Goliath match in wrestling as AJ uses his strength as well as his speed to get the advantage over the much larger opponent until Joe seizes the moment and then begins taking over the match with kicks, punches, and powerslams.

The finish sees Joe living up to his nickname as ‘The Samoan Submission Machine’ by making AJ pass out from the Coquina Clutch and becoming the new X Division Champion in the process.

#6. Austin Aries vs. Jeff Hardy (2012)

The sequel to their good but disconnected world title match at Bound For Glory, Jeff Hardy and Austin Aries are given another opportunity to steal the show in the main event of Turning Point 2012 in a spectacular ladder match.

Considering how Jeff Hardy is one of the undisputed masters of the ladder match, it probably won’t surprise you to hear that ‘The Charismatic Enigma’ felt a home in this bout.

Aries, certainly knowing this, uses his intelligence in various parts of the match in order to get one up on Hardy with the bumps taken and given in this match being specially rough with Hardy hitting a twist of fate on a ladder set on top of the turnbuckle which looks like it hurts Jeff more than Aries.

A great match that blows their BFG Main Event out of the water.

#5. Team 3D vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (2010)

One of the most decorated teams of the late nineties and 2000’s going up against one of the most influential tag teams of the current generation with the tag titles and Team 3D’s careers on the line.

It’s a back-and-forth contest with each team highlighting each other strengths while their opponents attempt to use each others weaknesses against them…Spots like Chris Sabin managing to escape a table spot only for some miscommunication between the Guns in the corner to get in the way, leading to a 3D on Sabin with a kick out the stuns everyone into disbelief.

Shelley and Sabin prove their metal in this match, ending Team 3D’s run in TNA at least for the next couple of years.

#4. Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels (2009)

Sweet Jesus TNA in late 2009 was a really great time to be a fan of the promotion. The company had three amazing PPV’s in Bound For Glory, Turning Point and Final Resolution in order, with each show making the case for being one of the best events of the entire year.

Turning Point manages to lead in front of BFG and FR when it comes to a phenomenal card from to bottom and speaking of phenomenal…The Main Event

AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe having a rematch from their Unbreakable 2005 classic, this time with the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at stake; All three just jell together so gosh darn well with Joe’s physicality, Daniels’ submission/technical offense and AJ reliving his days as an X Division wrestler by performing some high flying, risk taking moves that will leave you breathless.

#3. Deonna Purrazzo vs. Su Yung (2020)

Deonna Purrazzo is easily one of the best competitors in wrestling today and while that statement may be subjective to some, her run in IMPACT/TNA from 2020-2023 saw her putting some the best matches of the year against names like Jordynne Grace, Taya Valkyrie and Mickie James to name a few.

While those ladies tend to be regarded as Deonna Purrazzo’s greatest opponents during her time in the company, her brief rivalry with Su Yung also deserves some recognition as this No DQ bout from Turning Point 2020 shows both women at their best.

Despite this match happening in an empty arena, Su and Deonna beat the heck out of each other with weapons including Purrazzo who is able to show off her viciousness more than once in this match.

Su Yung meanwhile comes off as a resilient champion on more than a few occasions, plus that spot of her hitting a pedigree on Deonna on the staging area is iconic as well as the finishing sequence which sees ‘The Virtuosa’ using a blank painting canvas as both a shield and a weapon.

#2. Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe (2009)

Angle’s third and final appearance on this list and…. I’ve saved his greatest match at Turning Point for last.

Two technically savy wrestlers colliding in a what is arguably the best match of 2009 with Desmond Wolfe being unrelenting with his offense as he picks apart Angle like a mad doctor with ruthless precision as he dissects his opponent.

Angle, not afraid to fight power with power throws Wolfe around like a rag doll with German Suplexes before trying multiple times to make Wolfe tap out with the ankle lock.

It is a rollercoaster of a match with close calls and near falls as both Angle and Wolfe use everything in their arsenal until a triangle choke from Kurt makes Wolfe finally submit, ending the match in thunderous applause.

It’s one of the Olympic Gold Medalists greatest matches in TNA (which is saying something) but also one of his most physical….Sure their rematch at Final Resolution a month later was a solid rematch, but this match was an absolute marvel.

#1. America’s Most Wanted vs. Triple X (2004)

The crown jewel when it comes to tag team wrestling in TNA, a bloody spectacle and a prime example of why Mike Tenay and Don West were one of the best commentary duos of all time….No other match at Turning Point exemplifies greatness then this match from the very first Turning Point event back in 2004.

In the main event, Chris Harris and James Storm aka America’s Most Wanted battled Christopher Daniels and Elix Skipper of Triple X inside a steel cage with the stipulation being that the losing team would have to disband.

The crowd is rabid for this match and the action is almost indescribable as both teams make frequent tags to their respective partners, Christopher Daniels and Chris Harris getting busted open in the first ten minutes of the match, Triple X handcuffing Harris to the ropes whilst teasing him with the key, and of course…Elix Skipper’s iconic tight rope walk into a hurricarana on Chris Harris off the top of the cage.

In terms of the mount rushmore of tag team matches in TNA wrestling as well as blending solid action and storytelling together…Then you may not find another match like this instant classic from one of TNA’s most recurring pay-per views: Turning Point.

So that’s my list, What do you think is the best Turning Point match in TNA Wrestling? Let me know in the comment section

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